Dems grasp at quorum loophole

2:08 AM,
Jul. 1, 2009

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ALBANY - Senate Democrats contended they found a way Tuesday to vote on bills: A Republican senator unknowingly gave them a quorum when he walked through the chamber to get a cup of coffee as Democrats were convening their own session.

Democrats claimed that when Sen. Frank Padavan, R-Queens, walked through the back of the chamber about noon, it gave them the 32 senators needed to pass legislation.

So Democrats went on to pass stacks of bills, including dozens of sales-tax extenders for local counties and cities that soon expire. They claim the votes were legal; Republicans say no, and Gov. ...